Monday, November 16, 2009

Coco Chanel

born 1883 in a brothelin Franceshe was raised in an orphanagefrom twelve years old, where she was trained as a seamstress,after the death of her mother.

Fiercely determined, she overcame the stigma of poverty,orphanhood and illegitimacy. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel never married, but had affairs with influential men of the time.While living with one of these men, Etienne Balsanwho lavished her with the rich life,she began designing hats as a hobbyfor celebrated French actresses. This soon became a deeper interest.Her style ofsimple elegance was associated with the 1920’s Flapper, a new breed of self confidentyoung woman thatchallenged the accepted status quo.She gave women back their bodies;bodies drenched in sweatand freed them from their corsetsand padding.Simple, comfortable and revealing,the trademark of an icon.